kalaze

Borrowed from Italian colazione (“breakfast”).


Zigaare

Ultimately from Spanish cigarro; further origin uncertain.


Cyrill

From Late Latin Cȳrillus, from Ancient Greek Κύριλλος (Kúrillos).

(Uri) a male given name from Ancient Greek, equivalent to English Cyril


Militäär

From French militaire, from Latin mīlitāris.


Marits

From Late Latin Mauritius. Compare German Moritz.

(Uri) a male given name from Latin, equivalent to English Maurice


Ëërde

From Old High German erda, from Proto-Germanic *erþō. Cognate with German Erde, Dutch aarde, English earth, Swedish jord. Also related to Albanian varr (“grave”), Lithuanian erdvė (“space”).


hüt

From Middle High German hiute, from Old High German hiutu, a contraction of earlier *hiu tagu, from Proto-Germanic *hiu dagō (“on this day”). Cognate with German heute, Old English heodæg.


Beat

From Latin Beatus, a masculine form of Beata.


scharpf

From Middle High German scharpf, from Old High German scarf. Cognate with German scharf, Dutch scherp, English sharp, Swedish skarp.


Gaarte

From Middle High German garte, from Old High German garto, from Proto-Germanic *gardô. Cognate with German Garten, Dutch gaard, Danish gårde.


Kaafe

From French café, from Italian caffè, from Ottoman Turkish قهوه (kahve), from Arabic قَهْوَة (qahwa).


glenze

From Middle High German glenzen, from Old High German glanzen. Cognate with German glänzen.


Täsche

From Old High German taska, tasca. Further origin unknown. Perhaps a late borrowing from Italian tasca, from Late Latin tasca, tascha, itself from Frankish *taska, from Proto-Germanic *taskǭ (“bag”). Native form would be *Zäsche. Cognate with German Tasche.


Fläsche

From Old High German flasca, from Proto-West Germanic *flaskā, from Proto-Germanic *flaskǭ. Cognate with German Flasche, Dutch fles, English flask, Swedish flaska.


wäsche

From Old High German wascan, waskan, from Proto-Germanic *waskaną. Cognate with German waschen, English wash, Swedish vaska.


zwengge

From Middle High German zwengen, twengen, from Old High German dwengen, causative of dwingan, from Proto-Germanic *þwinganą. Cognate with German zwängen.


Herpscht

From Old High German herbist, from Proto-Germanic *harbistaz. Cognate with German Herbst, Dutch herfst, English harvest, Swedish höst.


Staal

From Middle High German stahel, from Old High German stahal, from Proto-Germanic *stahliją. Cognate with German Stahl, Dutch staal, English steel, Swedish stål.


Ess

From Old High German essa, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs-. Cognate with German Esse.


Brunne

head

Brunne m (plural Brünne, diminutive Brünneli)

Middle High German brunne, from Old High German brunno.


Kàmpelj

(Rimella and Campello Monti) Campello Monti


Greschòney zer Chilchu

(Gressoney) Gressoney-Saint-Jean (a town in Aosta Valley, Italy)


Im Land

(Italian Walser) Alagna Valesesia, a village in Piedmont, Italy.


Chalchoufe

(Carcoforo) Carcoforo (a village in Piedmont, Italy)


Greschòney Drifaltigkeit

(Gressoney) Gressoney-La-Trinité (a town in Aosta Valley, Italy)


Pomatt

Uncertain, but likely of Germanic origin as the city was founded by Walsers. For the second element compare modern German Matte (“meadow, grassland”).

(Formazza) Formazza (a village in Piedmont, Italy)


Eischeme

From Medieval Latin Ixima, from the earlier Roman name, Latin Axima, a name said to be of Celtic origin. Compare Italian Issime.

(Issime) Issime (a village in Aosta Valley, Italy)


Blösch

Blösch m (plural Blösche, diminutive Blöschli)

Variant form (with labialization) of Blesch.

(Name for) a cow with a white spot, especially on its forehead; or alternatively a cow of a single colour, variously black, grey, red or brown depending on the region.


vréitag

From Old High German frīatag, from Proto-West Germanic *Frījā dag (literally “Day of Frigg”), a calque of Latin dīes Veneris (“Friday”, literally “day of Venus”). Cognate with German Freitag, Dutch vrijdag, West Frisian freed, English Friday.

der

also

(days of the week) tag der wuchu; miantag, zéischtag, mittuchu, vruantag, vréitag, samstag, sunnatag – Issime dialect


fritog

also

(days of the week) tog der wuchu; meintog, zischtog, mittwuchu, frontog, fritog, ŝchamschtog, ŝchunnutog – Carcoforo dialect


Haane

From Old High German hano, from Proto-Germanic *hanô. Cognate with German Hahn, Dutch haan, Icelandic hani.


woarm

From Middle High German warm, from Old High German warm, from Proto-Germanic *warmaz. Cognate with German warm, Dutch warm, English warm, Icelandic varmur.


rüüdig

From Middle High German riudec, rūdec, from Old High German rūdig (“mangy”); cognate with German räudig. Compare semantic development with German sehr (“very”), from Old High German sēr (“sore; painful”).


rüüdig

Lozäärn hed e rüüdig schööni Fasnacht.

Rüüdig warm för ne 1. Oktober (24º!)

2010, Arno Schmidt, translated by Dominik Riedo, Obig mét Goldrand, page 9:

-Wösset Si, mine Neujohrvorsatz esch, dass ich Zäuslerdütsch lerne wett.
[...]
-Das gfallt mir so rüüdig guet.

2017, Christian Schmutz, D Seisler hiis böös, page 45:

-Did you know that my new year's resolution is that I want to learn Sensler German.
…
-I like it so much.


g'mai

From Middle High German gemeine, from Old High German gimeinī, a nominalization of the adjective gemeini, from Proto-West Germanic *gamainī, from Proto-Germanic *gamainiz (“shared, communal, common”) Cognate with archaic German Gemeine, Luxembourgish Gemeng, also Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌹𐌽𐌴𐌹 (gamainei).


Hitzgi

Cognate with German Hickser, see also German hicksen.

(central and eastern Switzerland) hiccup


Nüt

From Middle High German nut, nit, from Old High German niowiht, niwiht, niht, nieht (“nothing, nothingness”). Cognate with German Nichts.


Krämle

(Vorarlberg) A homecoming gift (a gift brought back when returning from a trip).

(Vorarlberg) A hostess gift (a gift given by a visitor during a social visit).


Breagaz

Bregenz (the capital of and third largest city in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)

Bregenz (an administrative district in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)

Bregenz (a municipality in the district of Bregenz in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)


Bludaz

Bludenz (a town in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)

Bludenz (an administrative district in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)

Bludenz (a municipality in the district of Bludenz in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria)


ghaa

Prefix g- + haa; haa (“to have”) from Old High German hāben, from Proto-Germanic *habjaną. Cognate to German gehabt (“had”), Dutch gehad, Pennsylvania German ghatt, West Frisian hân, Saterland Frisian häiwed, North Frisian hed, English had, Icelandic hafður.


Aafang

From Middle High German anvanc, anevanc, from Old High German anafang. Cognate with German Anfang.


Fuess

From Middle High German fuoz, from Old High German fuoz, from Proto-West Germanic *fōt, from Proto-Germanic *fōts (“foot”). Cognate with German Fuß.


gsee

head

gsee (third-person singular simple present gseet, past participle gsee, auxiliary haa)

gseet (present singular third-person)
gsee (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

From Middle High German sehen, from Old High German sehan, from Proto-West Germanic *sehwan. Cognate with German sehen.


Appelhans

English: Appelhans

French: Appelhans

a surname, equivalent to English Appelhans


Ankebälleli

From Anke + Balle + -li, literally “little butterball”, from the appearance of the blossoms.

com

Trollius europaeus
Trollius europaeus#Translingual


Bachbummele

Caltha palustris
Caltha palustris#Translingual

(Breisgau) marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)


Bachrolle

(Breisgau, Försteland) globeflower (Trollius europaeus)


Bettseicher

Bett + Seicher. Compare Luxembourgish Bettseechesch, French pissenlit.


Aargou

From Old High German Aaregau (“Aargau”), compound of Aare + Gau.


Ise

S het mi gfroore, s chalten Iise.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 15:


Jåhr

From Middle High German jār, from Old High German jār, from Proto-West Germanic *jār. Cognate with German Jahr.


ufe

Chumm ufe!


Thönder

Borrowed from English thunder, via brand names such as Thunder King or Cubic Thunder.

Chum mer lön mol en fette Thönder i sinem Briefchaschte ab.

Let's detonate a big firecracker in his mailbox.

Dini Chatz isch jo en huere Thönder.

(informal, by extension) a particularly big specimen of any kind (used more often for living or formerly living things)


Chnuuschti

(informal) an eccentric, difficult person


Tschumpel

From tschumple (“waddle, wander sluggishly”) + -el, itself of unknown origin, possibly related to tschalpe, a synonym.

af

(vulgar) an asinine person, especially one that is easily exploited

(informal, by extension) a person in a position where they have to submit to exploitation, e.g. an intern


Tubel

head

Tubel m (plural Tuble, diminutive Tübeli)

Unknown. Perhaps related to Alemannic German täubele. See also Alemannic German tuble, Alemannic German umetuble.


täubele

qualifier

→ German: täubeln (sometimes used in Swiss High German print media)

Probably derived from the concurrently existing tobe (“to throw a fit”), from Middle High German toben, from Old High German tobēn, tobōn from Proto-West Germanic *dobēn (“to rage, to be crazy”), by applying the same suffix that can be observed in (ume)gängele and (ume)blödele which also describe an incessant and annoying activity. Compare also with the German frequentative and/or diminutive verb ending -eln.

der

to complain loudly, to moan (especially incessant wailing by children)


chätsche

to chew (in particular loudly or with little success (as on a chewing gum))


Bütschgi

/ˈb̥ʏt͡ʃ.ɡ̊ɪ/


Ghüder

Unknown. Possibly from an earlier form Ghuder, Gehuder (“deplorable clothes”), possibly related to German Kutten. Alternatively possibly related to Gehudel (“sloppiness, haste”) from huddle (“to do sloppily and in a rush”), cognate with German Gehudel. Alternatively possibly related to Gehäder (“messy knots, entanglement, mess, complication”), see also German verheddern. Alternatively possibly inherited from Middle High German kūder (“tow (shaved-off fibers from working flax or hemp)”), which might be related to the first part of German Kauderwelsch, which has been suggested to be etymologically related to Chur. Possibly related to its central Switzerland synonym Güsel, Gusel.

der

Ghüder näbem Chübu isch es Übu.

Trash by the side of the trash can is a curse.


amigs

From Middle High German allewëge (“always”, “in the past”), a compound of alle (“all”) + wääge (“ways”). Doublet of allwääg, allwäg.

(Bern) Ds isch aube no schwirig.

It is difficult every time (one is in such a situation).

Das giit amigs wieder än huufe Bsuech uf dr Internetsiitä! :o)

1999 January 8, Andr้ฐ R. Mastel, alt.stupid (Usenet):

This yields a lot of visitation on the website each time again. :o)

Nach em Singe sind die Mane amigs no zämeghöcklet bime Glas Wii und ere Zigare oder eme Stumpe, händ schwiigend Rauchringli gmacht oder uf Zürioberländer Aart dischgeriert, das heisst mit wenige Wort wie nur mögli, siner Meinig Uusdruck gää.

2020 March 17, Johann Widmer, Barrabas: Und anderi Gschichte us em Züri Oberland, epubli, →ISBN, →OCLC:

After singing, these men have regularly come together at a glass of wine and a cigarette or a cigar, silently creating smoke rings or discussing in Zürcher Oberland fashion, which means giving expression to one's opinion using as few words as possible.

(Schwyz) Albigs hät mä's nüd so gmacht.

In the past, one didn't do it like this.

Er ischt albig en Esel gsyn und iez im Alter nid gschyder woorden.

He has always been a donkey and now at a higher age hasn't become smarter.


Gumel

Unknown. One theory that has been suggested is that the first potatoes in the canton of Schwyz were cultivated on the farm "Hof Gummi in Röten bei Goldau" in the year 1727. Another theory suggests a connection between this term and other, similar sounding ones like Bachgummele (an uncommon synonym for Bachbumbele (“Caltha palustris”)), Rossgumele (a regional synonym of Rossbolle (“road apple”), Gumme (a rare synonym of Buchsbeeri (“Arctostaphylos uva-ursi”)), from which a common meaning of "small, bulbous object" has been derived. Compare also Palatine German Gumpel, Gump, Gummel (“big, plump nose”) and also compare the term Chnollenase (“bulbous nose”, literally “corm nose”) (related to German Knollennase) which may explain the semantic bridge.

m+

Am beste isch es, wämme gschwellt Gumel ninnt, die lout lou verchalte, dä dur ä Gumelschysser (= Passevite) trybt und mit emene Hämpfeli Mähl und ere Pryse Salz zumene Teig chnättet.

1977, Bruno Stephan Scherer, Innerschweizer Schriftsteller: Texte und Lexikon, Raeber, →ISBN, page 126:

It is best to take boiled potatoes, let them cool down, then push them through a [rotary potato mill] and - with a small handful of flour and a pinch of salt - knead them into a dough.


Zit

From Middle High German zīt. Cognate to German Zeit.

Mahnt's erst und finster an d'Vergänglichkeit;
 Und's würd eim angst und schudrig, wemme denkt,
 Daß alles Werk, vo Menschehand erbaut,
 Im Lauf der Zit, seig's no so fest und schön,
S'im endliche Verfall ergege goht.

1869, Aus dem Wiesenthale. Gedichte von Georg Uehlin:


Härdöpfel

head

Härdöpfel m (plural Härdöpfel, diminutive Härdöpfeli)

Härdöpfel (plural)
Härdöpfeli (diminutive)

Äärde (“earth”) + Öpfel (“apple”). By folk etymology, Härd (“stove”) + Öpfel (“apple”).


Rägeschirm

Räge + Schirm. Cognate with German Regenschirm.

(Switzerland) umbrella (strictly for rain)


Hööchi

Us dr Hööchi khör i öppis.

Gömmer chli id Hööchi?

Should we go to the mountains? (literally, “Are we going a bit into the height?”)


öppisem

Är isch grad no mit öppisem beschäftigt.

He is currently still busy with something.


öpperem

I will öpperem helfe.


abebringe

abebringe (third-person singular simple present bringt abe, past participle abepraacht, auxiliary haa)

bringt abe (present singular third-person)
abepraacht (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

/ˈɑb̥əbriŋə/

Wenn si am Morge d Milch abeproocht händ, han i no gschlooffe […].

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 7:

When they brought the milk down in the morning, I was still sleeping.

(transitive) to bring (something) down, to take down, carry down


Hoger

Hoger m (plural Höger, diminutive Högerli)

[N]achäär sind sie wider uf de Höger obe gsii, und uf en Oobe hämmer sowiso nie früschi Milch pruucht.

Later they were back up in the hills, and anyway you can do without fresh milk for one evening.


ghööre

ghööre (third-person singular simple present ghöört, past participle ghöört, auxiliary haa)

ghöört (present singular third-person)
ghöört (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

De Bueb han i nie ghöört. Aber sini Eltere.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn:


Lüüchzgi

/ˈlyːɣ̊t͡sɡ̊i/


vercheert

I ha mini Schue vercheert aagleit.

Du häsch s Tiischi vercheert ume aagleit.

Alles isch verchehrt gsii.


Theek

Theek m (plural Theeke, diminutive Theekli)

I han min Theek dehei vergesse.


bäcke

bäcke (third-person singular simple present bäcket, past participle päcket, auxiliary haa)

bäcket (present singular third-person)
päcket (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

to cough (especially with a dry or fitful cough); to hack


Ascht

Ascht m (plural Äscht, diminutive Äschtli)

From Middle High German ast, from Old High German ast.

Di trochnen Äscht sind schnäll verläderet, es Windli het de Rauch vertribe gäge s Jungholz zue.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 19:

The dry branches were soon gone; the wind would blow the smoke away against the young wood.


stuune

stuune (third-person singular simple present stuunet, past participle gstuunet, auxiliary haa)

stuunet (present singular third-person)
gstuunet (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

From Middle High German stūnen. Cognate with German staunen.

De Chlii isch näb em Füür uf eine vo de Prügel ghocket und het gstuunet.

The little one plonked himself down on one of the logs near the fire and lapsed into thoughtful silence.

to stare into space while lost in thought; to brood to oneself


näimehäär

De Chlii het uufgluegt, wie vo nöime häär.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 21:

The little one glanced up, as through from somewhere else.


näime

neume

Lucerne, Schwyz, Solothurn, Unterwalden, Uri, Zug


uufluege

uufluege (third-person singular simple present luegt uuf, past participle uufgluegt, auxiliary haa)

luegt uuf (present singular third-person)
uufgluegt (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

/ˈuːfluə̯ɡ̊ə/

From uuf- + luege. Compare German aufblicken, aufsehen, aufschauen.


Türgge

From Türgg (“Turk”). Compare German Türkenkorn, Türkischkorn, Italian granoturco.


Chuuderwältsch

Es ggurglets Chuderwälsch, au im Wäldli hinde, wenn mr Suppe gchochet händ im sälber gmachte Ghütt.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 22:


zeerscht

From Middle High German ze ērst, zērst. Compare German zuerst and Bavarian zerscht, zeascht. By surface analysis, z + eerscht.

Zerscht bin i gar nid sicher gsi.

2009, Andreas Neeser, No alles gliich wie morn, page 24:


dangge

dangge (third-person singular simple present danggt, past participle danggt, auxiliary haa)

danggt (present singular third-person)
danggt (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

From Middle High German danken, from Old High German thankōn. Cognate with German danken.

Mier danggen der härzlich!


dangge

Dangge viilmool für alles!


Aaschnitt

(Switzerland) heel, crust (end-piece of a loaf of bread)


Gibel

Wer früehnder vu Netschtel gu Glaris ufe-n-isch, hät linggerhand dry uumäär Nußbäum gsih und rächts vu der alte Landstraß es Hüüsli miteme hööche Gibel.

1966, Georg Thürer, Rund umme Blattetisch, page 44:

Anyone who used to come/go up from Netstal to Glarus has seen three very lovely walnut trees on the left-hand side and a high-gabled little house to the right of the old country road.


Määrli

From an earlier Määr + -li, from Middle High German mære. Cognate with Märchen.

(informal) fairy tale (unbelievable story)


Meerze

Der Meerze isch der schüünscht Munet, da cha mä säge, was mä will.

1966, Georg Thürer, Rund umme Blattetisch, page 59:


Samichlaus

Samichlaus m (plural Samichlois, diminutive Samichloisli)

Samichlois (plural)
Samichloisli (diminutive)

Saint Nicholas; Father Christmas (UK), Santa Claus


uusgsee

uusgsee (third-person singular simple present gseet uus, past participle uusgsee, auxiliary haa)

gseet uus (present singular third-person)
uusgsee (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

Er sig egau, i was für me Coop dass me schaffi, seit d Eliane immer, es gseji ja aui gliich uus.

2017, Stefanie Grob, ‘Im Coop ar Kasse’, Härzschmärz, page 45:

It doesn't matter which branch of Coop you work in, Eliane always says, everything always looks the same.


Biig

Biig f (plural Biige, diminutive Biigli)

From Middle High German bīge, from Old High German bīga (“pile, heap”), further origin uncertain. Cognate with German Beige.

Biigi

Aarau, Basel, Glarus, Lucerne, Solothurn, Uri, Wallis

Gäbt is vo Öine ungschribne Briefe o ne ganzi Bige?

2017, Margrit Staub-Hadorn, ‘Di ungschribne Briefe’, Härzschmärz, page 107:

Do you have any unwritten letters – even a whole pile of them?


huupe

huupe (third-person singular simple present huupt, past participle ghuupt, auxiliary haa)

huupt (present singular third-person)
ghuupt (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

to shout, call through one's cupped hands


Iichaufslade

Iichaufslade m (plural Iichaufsläde, diminutive Iichaufslädeli)

Iichaufsläde (plural)
Iichaufslädeli (diminutive)

Ds isch min Lieblingsiichaufslade.


Huube

Huube f (plural Huube, diminutive Hüübli)

From Middle High German hoube, hūbe, from Old High German hūba, from Proto-Germanic *hūbǭ. Cognate with German Haube.


öppe

Es sin öppe hundert Lüt gsii.

Chusch jetz öppe?

Si chömen öppe mool verbi.


Biiswind

north wind, Bise (a specific north wind)


Phack

Phack n (plural Phäck, diminutive Phäckli)

Fuuls Phack!

(derogatory) rabble, mob, vermin, rascals (of people)


biigewiis

/b̥iːɡ̊əʋiːs/

Döt würi nöd hiigoo, es liit biigewiis Müll ume.

I wouldn't go there, there are heaps of trash.


normaalerwiis

From normaal + -erwiis. Compare German normalerweise.

Normaalerwiis isch är pünktlich.


massehaft

From Masse + -haft. Compare German massenhaft.

Dr Leerer het üs wider massehaft Uufzgi uufgee.

The teacher has given us lots of homework again.


-wiis

Masse (“mass”) + -wiis → massewiis (“en masse”)

Teil (“part”) + -wiis → teilwiis (“in part”)

→ see -erwiis

Used to form adverbs from adjectives or participles together with the interfix -er-.


massewiis

From Masse + -wiis. Compare German massenweise.


-erwiis

fründlich (“friendly”) + -erwiis → fründlicherwiis (“kindly”)

normaal (“normal”) + -erwiis → normaalerwiis (“normally”)

Used to form adverbs from adjectives; these adverbs are used to modify phrases or sentences.


Rugge

From Middle High German rucke, rücke. Cognate with German Rücken.

Ruggä

Appenzell, Glarus, Lucerne, Schaffhausen


Ruus

Inherited from Middle High German ruoz, from Old High German ruoz, hruoz, from Proto-Germanic *hrōtaz (“soot”), from Proto-Indo-European *kreH(u)d-. Cognate with German Ruß.


Chindsgibändeli

Chindsgibändeli n (plural Chindsgibändeli)


Chindsgibändel

Chindsgibändel m (plural Chindsgibändel, diminutive Chindsgibändeli)

Chindsgibändel (plural)
Chindsgibändeli (diminutive)

reflective strip (handed out by kindergardens and schools in Switzerland to be worn by children for road safety)


Käs

From Old High German chāsi, from Proto-West Germanic *kāsī, borrowed from Latin cāseus.


chlättere

chlättere (third-person singular simple present chlättert or chlätteret, past participle gchlätteret or klätteret, auxiliary sii)

chlättert (present singular third-person)
chlätteret (present singular third-person)
gchlätteret (participle past)
klätteret (participle past)
sii (auxiliary)

Voll Vertroue u dankbar isch dr Jirschi zue mer cho u mer ufe Schoss gchlätteret.

2021 September 23, Berner Schriftstellerinnen und Schriftsteller Verein (BSV), editor, Berner Krimis: Anthologie, tredition, →ISBN:

Full with trust and thankful, Jirschi came to me and climbed on my lap.


aachoo

aachoo (third-person singular simple present chunt aa, past participle aachoo, auxiliary sii)

chunt aa (present singular third-person)
aachoo (participle past)
sii (auxiliary)


lüüte

lüüte (third-person singular simple present lüütet, past participle glüütet, auxiliary haa)

lüütet (present singular third-person)
glüütet (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

From Middle High German liuten, from Old High German hlūten, lūten, liuten, from Proto-West Germanic *hlūdijan (“to make loud”). Compare German läuten.


Lütt

Amọọl ischt a Hahna über de Chọọraplatz z'Chur, dẹẹ het e groses Plogg am Baiη nọọha zọọga. D Lütt hen gstûnet.

1989, Arnold Büchli, “Blendwerk auf dem Kornplatz.”, in Mythologische Landeskunde von Graubünden: Fünf Dörfer, Herrschaft, Prättigau, Davos, Schannfigg, Chur (Mythologische Landeskunde von Graubünden: ein Bergvolk erzählt), Desertina, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 5:


Lüttli

Do wärde di Lüttli vo allne Syte här agheizt, bis so ne Pürschtel z'letscht meint, er wär e ke Maa, wen er nid z'mingscht jedi Wuche zu re-n-angere g'heiti —

1970, Rudolf Stalder, Ernst Ritter--Nachruf auf einen Lehrer von morgen: Radio-Hörfolge, Buchverlag Tages-Nachrichten, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 130:


gruusig

head

gruusig (comparative gruusiger, superlative am gruusigschte)

gruusiger (comparative)
am gruusigschte (superlative)

Cognate and false friend with German grausig.


gruusig

De het mengisch iis vo üs am Aabe mit ere Täsche Gmües uf ds Halbi-sibni-Poschtouto müesse. Z Oey isch me hurti i ds Chüelhuus grennt, het d Waar innigwurgget u das, wo me het sölle hiimbringe, usegsuecht. Me het gruusig müesse pressiere, dass me umi uf ds Halbi-achti-Poschtoutu het möge.

2011, Erika Wiedmer-Mani, Für nes Füfi Brot, Weber AG Verlag, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 33:


h.x.

> kürzel stiften eher verwirrung, als dass sie hilfreich wären...
> q.e.d bzw. w.z.b.w. <--- wie mein lehrer stets zu sagen pflegte! und lehrer
> müssen das ja wissen!
Unser Lehrer benutzte jeweils h.x.
Hesch gseh!

1999 September 7, Daniel Werner, “wettheiterkeit..”, in ch.talk (Usenet):

>> Wir schrieben als Aufrechte Schweizer [tm] jeweils h.x.
>
>Jetzt oute ich mich mal: Was heisst das?
Hesch xe. (Hast du gesehen, da siehst du's, o.ä.)

1999 November 10, Adrian Suter, “Ist Agnostizismus dogmatisch?”, in de.alt.arnooo (Usenet):

> qed
kennst du den schon: h.x.... (häsch gseh!)

2000 November 20, Simon Sunke, “KOPFRECHNUNG!!”, in ch.talk (Usenet):

(humorous, informal, uncommon, mathematics, student language) Initialism of hesch/häsch gseh/xe(!/?) (“you saw! / did you see?”): Humorous Swiss-German version of Q.E.D.


Härdöpfelstock

Härdöpfelstock m (in the plural Härdöpfelstöck)

→ German: Kartoffelstock (calque)

(chiefly in the singular) mashed potatoes


läck Bobby

Likely emerged after 1895-1905, because of its absence in Schweizerisches Idiotikon whose volumes in which it should have been listed were published in that time. Probably emerged as a minced oath of läck mer am Arsch as swearwords have the tendency to also be used as interjections of astonishment. The Bobby part is unlikely to be from English but rather a diminutive of the male given name Jakob, analogous to other Alemannic swear words involving given names such as Säunickel from Nikolaus.


läck Bobi

«Läck Bobi», dachte ich bei mir, «het dä usgrüeft!»

2017 February 27, Jean-Pascal Ansermoz, “Schiffbruch”, in Es birebitzeli Glück: Neue Geschichten aus Andersland (in German), BoD – Books on Demand, →ISBN:


läck Bobbi

D Brichtä mehri säch, wie talentiärt au die Ching sigä. Läck Bobbi, si die talentiärt! Da wird us Lego-Duplo Berlin bouä, wis hüt würd usgseh, we dr Chrieg nid wär gsi.

2014 April 1, Stefanie Grob, “Ä angeri het Michèle gheissä ...”, in Inslä vom Glück: Sechs Auftritte (edition spoken script), Schwabe AG, →ISBN:


graasä

graasä (third-person singular simple present graast, past participle graast, auxiliary haa)

graast (present singular third-person)
graast (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

«Dr hinderscht und äi Oubet seï diä Chuä über ä Stollä gääget ä Sattel ai ga graasä. Und där Chüer heï si all wider müessä ga houlä. Im Zourä heï er dinn ebä aberä Tannä Rindä gschöllt und in där Stollä ufi tuä. Noi isch d Chuä d Nacht druuf abitroulet und kabut gsii. Für das müess er wandlä.»

1969, Eduard Hoffmann-Krayer, Hanns Bächtold, “Stollni jutzget, ass ma na wyt uzma gkört.”, in Schweizerisches Archiv für Volkskunde, volumes 65-67, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 153:


Grasdeeri

Letzte Woche ging in Röthenbach die Ära der Trocknungsanlage zu Ende. 64 Jahre «Grasdeeri» sind nun endgültig Geschichte. Keine weithin sichtbare Wasserdampfsäule mehr, kein feiner Geruch mehr nach getrocknetem Gras.

2020 December 11, Anna-Katharina Flükiger (akf), Die Ära der «Grasdeeri» ging zu Ende, archived from the original on 2022-02-23:


Derri

Derri f (plural Derrene, diminutive Derreli)

Related to Middle High German derren, whence German dörren.

(rare, Highest Alemannic) contrivance or place to dry fruits, wood etc.

(rare, Highest Alemannic) amount of something that is dried in one go


bisch du single

bisch single?
bisch single#Alemannic_German


bisch du gläubig

are you religious?
are you religious#English


goots dr besser

are you feeling better?
are you feeling better#English

the alternative forms of the constituents


häsch du morn scho öppis vor

are you doing anything tomorrow?
are you doing anything tomorrow#English

(familiar) are you doing anything tomorrow?


hän Sii morn scho öppis vor

(polite) are you doing anything tomorrow?


sind Sii ghüroote

are you married?
are you married#English


Nochbär

Nochbärs Hus


Schwumm

Schwumm m (plural Schwümm, diminutive Schwümmli)

När hei mer e chliine Schwumm gno vor Chile z Wynou bis abe zum Pontonierhuus. Es isch nid heiku, wöu di gfährlechi Stöu isch witer obe, im Woufeler-Chehr, dört, wo d Inseli si, dört mues men ufpasse wäg de Wirble.

2020 October 7, Pedro Lenz, Primitivo: Roman, Cosmos Verlag, →ISBN, →OCLC:

Afterwards, we have taken a little swim from the church in Wynau all the way down to the pontooners' house. It isn't precarious because the dangerous spot is further upstream in Woufeler-Chehr, there where the islets are, there one has to watch out because of the swirls.


Schwumm

[…] Vase mit de Tulipane hane. Si isch umghyt, aber nüt verhyt. Der Walter isch gu der Schwumm hole und hät d Bützi am Bode uuftünggt. Der Lehrer Sami aber hät d Tulipane uufgläse.

1966, Georg Thürer, Rund umme Blattetisch: 7 Geschichte us em Glarnerland (Stab-Bücher), F. Reinhardt, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 87:

«Weisch», so chüschelet ds Zwärgli, «gueti Schwümm muess me abschnyde oder usdräie. Schrysst me se eifach us, verletzt me ds Wurzelgflächt. Drum git's o je lenger descht weniger Pilz, wo ässbar sy. […]»

2021 July 21, Rosmarie Stucki, Es Hämpfeli für ds Gmüet: Es farbigs Hämpfeli Gschichte us em Alltag / BÄRNDÜTSCHI GSCHICHTE, XinXii, →ISBN:

«You know», so whispers the little dwarf, «good mushrooms one has to cut off or twist out. If one just rips them out, one injures the root network. That's why there's fewer edible mushrooms the more time goes on. […] »


Chirchene

/ˈχɪr.χə.nə/


riibe

riibe (third-person singular simple present riibt, past participle gribe, auxiliary haa)

riibt (present singular third-person)
gribe (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

From Middle High German rīben, from Old High German rīban, from Proto-West Germanic *wrīban, from Proto-Germanic *wrībaną.
Compare German reiben.


Chirche

Chirche f (plural Chirchene or Chirche, diminutive Chirchli)

Chirchene (plural)
Chirche (plural)
Chirchli (diminutive)

From Middle High German kirche, from Old High German kirihha, from Proto-West Germanic *kirikā.

Aber mi dünkt, mängisch sige üsi Chirchene wie nes Museum. […] Üsi Chirchene es Museum, wo mir Jesus ufbewahre: zum Bispil a dr Kanzel hets es Chrüz, es Symbol für Jesus.

1979, Zeitschrift für Kultur und Politik und Kirche, volume 28, Evangelische-kirchliche Vereinigung in der Schweiz, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 639:

But I have the impression, sometimes our churches are like a museum. […] Our churches a museum where we preserve Jesus: for example at the pulpit there's a cross, a symbol for Jesus.

Chille

Lucerne, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Uri, Zug, St Gallen (Amden)


glii

Glii isch dr Tanz verbii,
glii muäsch drheime sii,
drum nutzid d'Ziit e chli,
hånd 's midenand scheen.

1977, Bruno Stephan Scherer, Innerschweizer Schriftsteller: Texte und Lexikon, Raeber, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 174:

Soon the dance is over,
soon you have to be at home,
so use the time a bit,
have it nice with one another.


grusig

grusig (comparative grusiger, superlative am grusigschte)

grusiger (comparative)
am grusigschte (superlative)

Me cha däm Horror säge oder Schweinerei und die grusigschte Wort bruche wo me kennt us de Lintüecher im Puff: dr Dichter cha Affigs mache was är wott, so öppis chunnt i sine Schrifte nie vor.

1981, Drehpunkt, volume 13, number 50 - v. 14, Lenos, →OCLC, page 9:

One can call that horror or disgrace and use the nastiest words that one knows from the bedlinen in the brothel: the poet can do extravagant things as he pleases, something like this never occurs in his writings.

„Nei“, antwortete ich, „das isch eigentlich ganz guet! Dä Anke isch viel grusiger.“¹²
„Bisch du doof, du muesch halt Piinatbötter statt Butter ässe!“¹³“
“I ha dä Änglisch Piinatbötter nöd gärn. Dä isch no viel grusiger als de Porridge.“¹⁴

2021 May 20, Leela Goldmund, Insektenpech: Ein junges Mädchen tauscht Erleuchtung gegen Leben (in German), BoD – Books on Demand, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 35:

„No“, I reploed, „this is actually quite good! The butter is a lot more disgusting.“¹²
„Are you stupid, you just have to eat peanut butter instead of butter!“¹³“
“I don't like the English peanut butter. It is even a lot more disgusting than the Porridge.“¹⁴


grusig

's Hündli isch verschrocke und hät de Walti abället wie nöd gschid. Da drab isch de Walti au wider grusig verschrocke und grad hindersi umgfalle, und erscht na in en Wassergunte ine! Das isch z'vill gsi ufs Mal, und dä arm Walterli hät schüli agfange briegge.

2013 October 23, Sylvia Sempert, Na meh Guet Nacht-Gschichtli, Schwabe AG, →ISBN, →OCLC:

The little dog got scared and barked [loudly] at Walti. Because of this, Walti [also] got very scared and immediately fell over backwards and, [to make matters worse], right into a puddle of water! That was too much at once and poor little Walter started crying [loudly].


gliich

From Middle High German glīch. Cognate with German gleich.

Will beid die schaffusischi Galauniform traage, wo bis uf e Fäderebusch genau gliich isch wie die vo de Franzoose, wäärde beid i ds Visier gnoo u erschosse.

2012, Hans Stalder, Bäärnerplatte & Dichterwii: Ein Roman in Mundart, Weber AG Verlag, →ISBN, →OCLC:

Because both wear the Schaffhausen gala uniform that is, apart from the hackle, exactly the same as the one of the French, both are taken into the sights and shot.

equal (being different entities that are equivalent in all (relevant) regards)

öpperem gliich sii

to be unimportant to someone (literally, “to be the same to someone”)

Isch mer gliich!

Isch doch gliich!

(colloquial, predicative) unimportant (to the speaker)


gliich

gliich guet

Aber dänn ischt im en Gedanke choo, wo-n-en trööschtet hät: «Ich mache moorn der Mueter aamfach e Freud; und wänns dänn gliich uuschunnt, so schimpft si sicher nid eso fescht.» Druf abe hät er chöne iischlooffe.

1970, Otto Uehlinger, Am Trottefüür: Erzählungen in Schaffhauser Mundart, Peter Meili, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 12:

But then a thought came to his mind that consoled him: “Tomorrow, I'll just make my mother's day; and if it still comes to light, then she surely won't scold me so badly.” Thereupon he was able to fall asleep.

Und isch gliich nid zfride.

1972, Albert Bächtold, S isch groote (Gesamtwerk in Einzelausgaben), Peter Meili, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 34:

And [he/she/it] is nevertheless not satisfied.

Ich ha's gwüsst und ha mich gliich verwütsche laa, ich Löli

2004, Harry Fuchs, Paul G. Schneider, Schtärneföifi, Züritüütsch isch aifach schön (The contemporary media language series; 2), Books on Demand, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 138:

I knew it and yet I've let myself get caught, silly me

(regional, rare) Alternative form of gli: soon


Zischtig

/ˈt͡siʃtɪɡ̊/


Ziischtig

/ˈt͡siːʃtɪɡ̊/


Pulverhorn

En Jäger mitme Jägergwand
Und mit de Flinte i der Hand,
Mit Pulverhorn und Jägerhuet
Und mit vill Muet und Übermuet
Und mit de Brüle uf de Nase,
Dä isch emal uf d Jagd uf Hase.

1996, Heinrich Hoffmann, Der Mundart-Struwwelpeter: lustige Geschichten und drollige Bilder, volume 1, HVA, →ISBN, →OCLC, D Gschicht vom wilde Jäger, page 63:

A hunter with a hunter garb
And with the musket in the hand,
With powder horn and hunter hat
And with much bravery and overconfidence
And with the glasses on the nose,
He [really] is on the hunt for hares.


Chriesibaum

Chriesibaum m (plural Chriesibäum, diminutive Chriesibäumli)

Chriesibäum (plural)
Chriesibäumli (diminutive)


Chriesi

From Middle High German kriesī, from a stem variant of Old High German kriesa, from Vulgar Latin ceresia. The form is exclusively Alemannic and shows retention of the Latin stress unlike general Old High German kirsa.


Härz

Härz n (plural Härze or Härzä or Härza, diminutive Härzli)

Härze (plural)
Härzä (plural)
Härza (plural)
Härzli (diminutive)

From Middle High German herze, from Old High German herza, from Proto-West Germanic *hertā, from Proto-Germanic *hertô (“heart”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱḗr (“heart”). Cognate with German Herz.

kais Härz haa

(uncountable, figurative) heart (one's feelings and emotions)


sötti

Du söttisch gaa.


g’see

g’see (third-person singular simple present g’seet, past participle g’see, auxiliary haa)

g’seet (present singular third-person)
g’see (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)


übercho

übercho (third-person singular simple present chunt über or überchunt, past participle übercho, past subjunctive chemti über or überchemti, auxiliary haa)

chunt über (present singular third-person)
überchunt (present singular third-person)
übercho (participle past)
chemti über (past subjunctive)
überchemti (past subjunctive)
haa (auxiliary)

From über- + choo (related to German kommen). See also German bekommen.

(Bern) I überchume zur Wienacht en Armbanduhr.

I am getting a wristwatch for Christmas.


dasis

Mis auto chunt ersch hüt nami zrugg, wills e neui Batterie git. Isch nöd so dasis m mittag brucht het.

My car won't be back until this afternoon because [they're installing] a new battery. It's not like I needed it at lunchtime.


chöi

(Bern) third-person plural present of chöne


sölle

sölle (third-person singular simple present sött, past participle sölle, auxiliary haa)

sött (present singular third-person)
sölle (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

Ich sött meh Schport mache.

D Petra het gseit, mir söled si cho bsueche.

Du hättisch mir sölle säge, dass es dir nid passt.

You should have told me that it doesn't suit you.

(auxiliary) should; to be obligated (to do something); ought; shall


Nami

(colloquial) Alternative form of Nomi / clipping of Namitag.


Namitag

Namitag m (plural Namitäg, diminutive Namitägli)


Nomitag

Nomitag m (plural Nomitäg, diminutive Nomitägli)

Coordinate term: Vormittag


überchoo

überchoo (third-person singular simple present chunt über or überchunt, past participle überchoo, past subjunctive chemti über or überchemti, auxiliary haa)

chunt über (present singular third-person)
überchunt (present singular third-person)
überchoo (participle past)
chemti über (past subjunctive)
überchemti (past subjunctive)
haa (auxiliary)


gseh

gseh (third-person singular simple present gseht, past participle gseh, auxiliary haa)

gseht (present singular third-person)
gseh (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)


Flättere

öpperem e Flättere gee

(Switzerland, informal) slap in the face; bitch slap (open-handed slap to the face)


Chlapf

Chlapf m (plural Chläpf, diminutive Chläpfli)

→ German: Chlapf

From Middle High German klapf. Cognate with German Klapf.

en Chlapf tue (impersonal conjugation)

of a clap, to be audible (literally, “to do a clap”)

Es hät en luute Chlapf tue.

(Switzerland, informal) clap (any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound)

en Chlapf hinter d Oore

a bitch slap (literally, “a slap behind the ears”)


Schwinte

öpperem e Schwinte gee


Baareblyy

/ˈb̥ɑːʁ̥ɛb̥liː/


bitzli

Es bitzli Ferie.


Hinech

e hiube Hinech


seggle

seggle (third-person singular simple present segglet, past participle gsegglet, auxiliary sii)

segglet (present singular third-person)
gsegglet (participle past)
sii (auxiliary)

(intransitive, slang, sometimes considered vulgar) Alternative form of seckle


Brocki

Brocki f or (uncommon) n (plural Brockis)


seckle

seckle (third-person singular simple present secklet, past participle gsecklet, auxiliary haa)

secklet (present singular third-person)
gsecklet (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)

Originally likely derived from either Sack (“sack, bag”) with the ablauting iterative/inchoative suffix -(e)le (which would, however, yield /æ/ for the first vowel in most modern dialects) or as a back-formation of Seckler, from Middle High German seckelære.
The jounce sense has been explained by comparison to bǖtleⁿ for which a parallel semantic development has been claimed to exist. It is also found in the Deutsches Wörterbuch under sacken.
The run sense, which is the dominant if not the only sense in modern times, has been recorded since at least the beginning of the 20th century. It is included in the 7th volume (1913) of the Schweizerisches Idiotikon with the usage restrictions Knabensprache (“sociolect of young boys”) and Basel-Stadt. Parallelly, it has also found its way into Hanns Bächtold-Stäubli's 1922 slang dictionary Die schweizerische Soldatensprache 1914–1918 (“Swiss army slang 1914-1918”). The vulgar connotation possibly arose from a folk-etymological belief that it derives from Seckel (“scrotum”).

(intransitive, possibly obsolete) to exercise the trade of bagmaking

(intransitive, possibly obsolete) to grasp into a bag

(transitive, possibly obsolete) to place into a bag

(intransitive, possibly obsolete) to jounce, jolt


seckle

seckle (third-person singular simple present secklet, past participle gsecklet, auxiliary sii)

secklet (present singular third-person)
gsecklet (participle past)
sii (auxiliary)

(intransitive, slang, sometimes considered vulgar) to run


kei Brot haa

(slang, uncommon, regional) to have no chance


an schöna Tag

an (“a”) + schöna (“beautiful”) + Tag (“day”).


an schöna Obig

an (“a”) + schöna (“beautiful”) + Obig (“night”).


afengs

Ich käne mi fäng guet.


süther

Ich han das süther nia me vu öppertem ghört.

I have never heard anyone say that since [then].


Bluet

From Middle High German bluot, from Old High German bluot, from Proto-West Germanic *blōd, from Proto-Germanic *blōþą.


Chümmischpalter

Chümmi (“cumin seed”) + Schpalter (“splitter”)


wück

Aber susch hät sich glaub nöd wück öppis veränderet siit dänn.

But otherwise I don't think it has really changed since then.


Iair

From Middle High German Iair, from Old High German Yairus, from Latin Iaīrus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάϊρος (Iáïros), from Biblical Hebrew יָאִיר (yāʾîr, literally “he will light up”)

der

a male given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Jair


stürchle

head

stürchle (third-person singular simple present stürchlet, past participle gstürchlet, auxiliary haa)

stürchlet (present singular third-person)
gstürchlet (participle past)
haa (auxiliary)


Kantönligeist

Kantönligeist m (plural Kantönligeister)


Brüädär

Brüädär m (plural Brüädär or Brüädärä, diminutive Brüädärli)

Brüädär (plural)
Brüädärä (plural)
Brüädärli (diminutive)


Chrankeschwöschter

Chrankeschwöschter f (plural Chrankeschwöschtere, diminutive Chrankeschwöschterli)

Chrankeschwöschtere (plural)
Chrankeschwöschterli (diminutive)

Chranke + Schwöschter. Compare German Krankenschwester.